I just met a distant relative and had a small chat with her. She proudly showed me her autistic younger son's "kindergarten" graduation day photos. Her face beamed with joy while describing how his son got lost into his own world while performing halfway. She is just like any other mother with 'normal' child, proud of her own son. That's why I decided to write something about this...
Recently, a friend did the test for down syndrome for her babies, result wasn't too favourable. She decided not to do any further tests to confirm the result. She felt that all kids are God's gift, whether they are normal or not, she will keep her children. I was impressed by her courage and determination when she told me her decision, at the same time I wonder if she really understood the real implication of raising kids with down syndrome. Anyway, the test is usually not accurate so I thought it's more important to give her support as a friend, than to scare or upset her with these...
I have a brother who is different, and a mum who specialise in treating children with special needs. Seeing so many kids who are different from 'normal', I grow up believing if we knew these children will face with so many challenges in life, and not only their parents but also their whole family have to go through so much difficult times, if we can predict disabilities, maybe it is a better idea not to bring these children to this world to suffer.
However, to certain extent, what my friend said is true too; every child is a miracle, a god's gift. It is cruel to end a little life before it begins. Probably, it is not up to us to decide what kind of life the child deserve, or we deserve. Even though my heart will still twinge whenever my brother share with me his difficulties, but I am always proud of him, love him and glad that I have him as my brother.
But the question is, I am already not sure if I can cope with bringing up a normal kid. like handle the crying and feeding etc, if my baby needs special attention and care, do I really have the courage, the patience and love to go through the special journey with her?
1 comment:
I look at this article. I am happy that I am loved for my being and me as a brother, not pitied on as some disadvantaged person that only begs for sympathy.
Although my special needs are the reason why I don't use my real name outside my home, as much as possible (it's already recorded that I have some form of special needs, and it appears on Google searches), I still bear hope that eventually, life will be better for all people, with or without special needs.
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